African American Birth HERstory Traditions

8/24/2019 Comments

Bringing THUNDER to International Birth Culture When CHOCOLATE Alone Just Won't Do

"[I want to] bring the wisdom of the grandmothers [abuelas] into modern birth... It's not about being 'the leader'. For me, it's about legacy, not fame. I want to see people rise... The legacy is far more important to me than the fame. And I meet so many people where the fame is more important than the legacy. " ~ Mars Lord

There has been a recent push for more Black doulas since the challenges of Black women in childbirth have become more publicized. For UK doula, birth educator and advocate, Mars Lord, the current situation necessitates more than a representation of Black women working in birth culture, it requires knowledge of birth based on our historical contexts. It requires our voices to be raised against microaggressions that have the potential to derail important conversations and thwart our efforts toward progress for Black women. Mars would say that it is time to let go of the sweetness and instead realize that we are in a war to save our lives. While there are many differences based on our locations within western culture, ultimately, Black women are fighting the same fight in the U.S. and the UK.

I have admired Mars Lord and followed her work for a while, and was excited about the opportunity to speak to her face-to-face. I always feel extremely blessed when I meet someone and I notice a natural connection and a kindred spirit, especially when I find these connections with African women internationally. Our conversation was full of laughter from the very beginning. My conversation with Mars confirmed my belief that if Black women are to help ourselves to heal ourselves and save ourselves, we must extend our hands to reach out to other women of African descent, both on the continent and throughout the African Diaspora. We must all connect and unify our strengths to overcome our limitations. It was my pleasure to hear her thoughts and to be able to share them with you.

Topics discussed:

From Mars Chocolate to Mars Goddess of War
The urgency of birth work among Black women
The birth of a Birth Keeper and a Birth Activist
Becoming the go-to person in your family and community for birth
Recognizing the universal challenges of a medical system not created to serve you
The international increasing maternal mortality rates among Black women
The importance of "acknowledging the differences" in birth
DOULA ---> SLAVE in the Greek
U.S. influences in the UK
Why saving Black women means more than training Black doulas
How western culture predisposes Black women to birth challenges
Why focusing on Black women is vital to survival
Helping others sit with their discomfort about Black women's birth challenges
Owning your anger as Black women
Being "African" in the Diaspora
The appropriateness of "exclusive spaces" for Black women in birth culture
The National Health Service in the UK and how it affects birthing mothers
Encouraging white women to seek out and embrace the remnants of the indigenous culture in their histories
Cultural Competency vs Cultural Safety

Mars expresses this gratitude:

"I'm grateful to Nicola Mahdiyyah Goodall, whose knowledge of birth and the postnatal period is immense. She encourages me to continually learn more. Maisie Hill who has always pushed me to do a little bit more. Jennie Joseph and her hard work and tenacity that encourages me to continue in my birth activism. The friendship of these three women is incredible. And I cannot forget Lorna Phillip and Thando Zwane, my sistas who make me laugh whilst encouraging me and who continually believe in the work that I do. "

Listen to the Podcast:

Here are some ways you can connect to the work Mars is doing:

Phone: +44 07767348462
Email: abueladoula@gmail.com
Website: https://MarsLord.co.uk/
Training Website: https://AbuelaDoulas.com/
FB Page: Doula Mars Lord
Training FB Page: Abuela Doula
LinkedIn: Mars Lord
Instagram: @AbuelaDoula
Twitter:Abuela Doulas

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6/25/2019 Comments

One Woman, 10 Birth Experiences... From Hospital to Home to Hospital Birthing with Confidence

"I could not go back to accepting everything [they told] me, because I broke out of that paradigm and I saw another way... When you don't know another way, you think that's the only way and the best way. Homebirth, to me, is the best way..." ~ DeLynn Yvonne Hudson, MBA

THE HUDSON CLAN! DyLynn and, husband of almost 23 years, DeAndré with eight of their ten children.

When I first met DeLynn, she had just had her 6th baby. My husband and I had known her husband DeAndre since we were in college at Tuskegee University. At that time, I could not have imagined how much our families had in common or how close our families would become. We supported each other during our homeschooling years and Gene and I have the honor of being their children's godparents. I am so excited to share her birth stories with you.

DeAndré and DeLynn Hudson

Topics discussed:

Homeschooling and living outside of the norm
Deciding "no contraception"
Birthing at the hospital... the first time
Considering homebirth
Homebirth experiences
Birthing with her daughter in the room
Encouraging Black women to return to homebirth
Delivering babies vs Birthing babies
Birthing over 40 and returning to hospital birth
The power of understanding birth and your body
Directing birth at the hospital... making requests during labor
Being prepared for the WORK of labor
Remaining empowered in your hospital birth environment
Shifting paradigms about birth
Gifting our daughters with birth
Being discouraged in birth work
Challenging "allies" of Black women in birth culture

DeLynn shared these words of gratitude:

"Words cannot fully express how grateful I am for my Midwife Lynda Hitchcock that transitioned (passed away) in 2007. I birthed 3 out of 10 of my children with her in the comfort of my home. I loved every moment of my home birth experiences.

Lynda was the first woman to teach me that giving birth to my baby WAS NOT A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. She taught me that most women would have safe and beautiful birthing experiences if the mother was in a preferred, comfortable, and supportive environment.

She was the first woman who taught me that birthing in a hospital contributes to the baby and mother being "IN DISTRESS" and the mom feeling afraid (i.e. unfamiliar surroundings, doctors, nurses, IVs, heart monitors, stirrups, and the 12 hour window). Lynda shared that several or all of the above can also contribute to the "need" for c-sections.

She was the first woman who taught me that I and my baby do all the work. She was there to educate and assist me. Thank you Lynda Hitchcock for answering the call to Midwifery and our paths crossing. You were a gift to the birthing world. You transformed my life forever."

Listen to the MP3:

Get in touch with DeLynn Hudson:

LinkedIn: DeLynn Hudson
Facebook: DeLynn Hudson
Email: dyhudson@gmail.com
Phone: +1 (219) 292-2666

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4/19/2019 Comments

A Car... A Birthing Mom... A "Doula" Dad... And a Baby that Wouldn't Wait!

"I felt stuck... I couldn't move... I felt restricted and no one was holding me... My 'fear' was of being restrained again... I didn't want to 'feel' tied down... because I felt like if I could get up, I could do better... I could do so much better... I wanted FREEDOM..." ~ Christy Willis aka "Doula Mom"

Christy Willis aka ¨Doula Mom¨ and I knew each other years before either of us committed ourselves to birth work, while we were both primarily focusing on homeschooling our children. Since that time, she has birthed several new humans into the world and we have had the opportunity to partner together to offer birth and postpartum services.

I have always been impressed with Christy as a mother and wife, still I have become even more impressed with her as I watch her expand her influence in birth culture and fill in the gaps she is observing in the care that is provided to birthing women and the doulas who serve them. She has developed a Virtual Doula Course for doulas desiring to extend their reach and ability to support women during the childbearing year via technology. Additionally, Christy has designed a Doula Business Journal that allows doulas to manage the unique challenges they face as birth workers and set goals for their businesses.

Dr. Doula & Doula Mom

In this blogpost, Christy is sharing her birth stories. She has very dynamic birth stories - from the hospital to a driveway to the comfort of her own home. And I believe they will provide additional insights for those who are seeking to know more about how to navigate their birth options.

Topics Discussed:

Initial thoughts about home birth
Experiences with birth in the hospital
Medicated vs unmedicated births
Whose "comfort" matters in birth
Male partners in the birth space
Choosing the best birth support for you
Dealing with fear in the birthing space
Apprehensions about home birth
Breaking up with your OB
The roar of the LIONESS
Virtual Doula Services to support women
The Doula Business Journal

Listen to the Podcast:

You can connect with Doula Mom to learn about her upcoming workshops and the work she is doing. She also has a Facebook group.

Phone: 7088725695
Email: Doulamom24@gmail.com
Website: https://doulabusiness.weebly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doulasformoula
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula_moula/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/doulasformoula
Facebook Group: Doula-Moula

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What are YOU waiting for to start learning about how to care for women during the childbearing year? Whether you are considering a career in birthwork, want to learn to help your family and friends or desire to be a resource for your community, "10 THINGS" is your starting place! Learn from from a Black historical perspective... learn from "someone who looks like you"... STOP WAITING... START LEARNING RIGHT NOW!

The voices of Black women have long been censored and/or edited. These conversations with Dr. Doula are an opportunity for Black women to share their truths and experiences in birth and birth culture in their own voices.

In other words, "She said what she said..."

When we help Birth HERstories we are acknowledging the BLACK BIRTH RENAISSANCE that is happening around the world! When we share our stories, practices, or traditions from women of African descent in America, we help preserve Black Birth HERstory. It is our responsibility as descendants of African women who were trafficked to the U.S. to hold their stories and know their practices, so that we are able to continue their tradition of being self-reliant and self-sustaining as communities of Black women.

Dr. Doula

My work is informed by my background – experiences, expertise, exposure, education & environment – as a woman, mother, wife, sister, educator, researcher, scholar, advocate, birth ally and legacy builder. #IAmTheAnswer #WeSaveOurselves
(Please note that the information shared on this blog is for information purposes only. Pregnant women should consult their PCP before following any practices found within the Birth HERstory Series Blog.)

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Birth HERstory Blog

Bringing THUNDER to International Birth Culture When CHOCOLATE Alone Just Won't Do

One Woman, 10 Birth Experiences... From Hospital to Home to Hospital Birthing with Confidence

"I could not go back to accepting everything [they told] me, because I broke out of that paradigm and I saw another way... When you don't know another way, you think that's the only way and the best way. Homebirth, to me, is the best way..." ~ DeLynn Yvonne Hudson, MBA

A Car... A Birthing Mom... A "Doula" Dad... And a Baby that Wouldn't Wait!

Dr. Doula

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